POSITION OBSCURE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1932, Page 5

POSITION OBSCURE

CHINA AND JAPAN JAPANESE TERMS UNFAVOURABLE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March b. The Shanghai situation continues to he somewhat obscure, although tight ing seems to have entirely ceased m most areas, since .the withdrawal oi the Chinese forces to the rear lines. / Press telegrams ieport firing near Nanziant, between the entrenched Chinese, and Japanese forces advancing to occupy positions within range. Meanwhile, the Japanese terms for the cessation of hostilities are not acceptable to the Chinese authorities. "V\ lnle quite prepared to discuss armistice terms, they make an especial exception of the proposal of a Round Table Conference, to be> held at Shanghai during the armistice at present, the form of which they regard as too

vagu<* Meanwhile, conditions in the Settlement despite the influx of crowds of refugees, remain quiet and orderly, and the inhabitants experience relief in the absence of gunfire, In Geneva, the Assembly tvill meet again to-day, to resume consideration of tho Shanghai problem. The General Committee of the League of Nations Assembly, composed of the chief delegates of each country, met this afternoon at Geneva Divergent views regarding the situation at Shanghai were expressed by the Japanese and Chinese delegates and, after an hour’s discussion, the chairman (Mr Hymans) suspended the sitting, to'enable a small committee to draft a resolution governing the terms for a cessation of hostilities, and outlining further steps Accessary at Shanghai. Later this evening, the full meeting was resumed, and Mr Hymans introduced the resolution: “That the Assembly, recalling the Council’s resolution of »February 28, and other measures which have been contemplated, firstly invites the Governments of China and Japan to take immediately the necessary steps to assure the effective execution of the orders given by the commanders of both forces, for a cessation of hostilities; secondly, to inform the. Assembly of the conditions on which the invitation formulated in paragraph one has been carried out; thirdly, recommends that negotiations be undertaken by the Japanese and Chinese representatives, with the assistance of the powers above mentioned, with a view to making the cessation of hostilities definite, and so arranging for the withdrawal of the Japanese forces. The Assembly expresses a wish that the Powers referred to will keep it informed regarding the progress of the negotiations 1 Viscount Sato, the Japanese delegate, moved, ns an amendment, the addition to paragraph .three of the following words, “and the future standing of the Chinese forces,” X After discussion the Amendment was withdrawn, under protest, and the resolution was adopted.

CHINESE FORCES DIVIDED. SECTION REMAINS HOSTILE. SHANGHAI, March 5. That there is no intention of a certain section of the Chinese forces laying down arms and permanently ceasing anti-Japanes© hostilities was announced to-day, by General Wang. The Chief-of-Staff of the Nineteenth Route Army, stated that since the Japanese forces proceeded beyond the twenty kilometre zone, the Chinese were entitled to resist.

Assisted by the 88th and 97th division and other reinforcements, the Nineteenth Army established a strong line of defence, extending from Kwantnng, Rating and Taichong as far as the Yangtse, which is intended to constitute opposition to any movement of the Japanese beyond the stated zone. The Japanese General, Skirnkawa, officially explained that military exigencies compelled the Jnpanese troops to proceed beyond the twenty kilometres zone and the occupation ot Kwangtung was imperative for protection in Nanziang, which is now the headquarters of General Uyeda. The French concession authorities are concerned over the concentration of a. large force of Chinese troops beyond Nantao.

A strong entrenchment system is progression False ru'mours circulated from Shanghai, regarding the Chinese victories, caused the Chinese populace to make unprecedented demonstration, and'there is still considerable difficulty in persuading the Chinese forces to agree to cease hostilities, owing to factional difficulties.

CHINESE RIOT IN PENANG. t SINGAPORE, March 5. f Eleven were injured, and fifty arrests made of rioting Chinese at Penang, following receipt of unfounded reports from Shanghai of a complete rout of the Japanese forces, with the death of General Shirakawa. British volunteers were called out to assist the police.

AMERICAN HELP. WASHINGTON, March 4. Th o State Department semi-officially announced that the United States eooneretion in fclio Demme Assemble plan to liquidate the military situation of Shanghai is virtually assured. Tlmvpvor, the Department emphasises that, the move means no repudiation oi the

Government's policy in the Shanghai and Manchurian troubles which are closely connected. It is merely offering the services of CionsuDGeneral Cunningham and Admiral Taylor, Shanghai, to help to negotiate or carry out any formula or negotiations decided upon.

CHINESE MINISTER. STATEMENT OF POSITION. SHANGHAI, March 6. The Chinese vice-Minister of Foreigu Affairs denies the reported calling ol a Round Table Conference shortly to discuss a settlement of Shanghai. He says such a conference is conditional on the Japanese complying with an agreement for the mutual withdrawal ot troops to avoid further clashes. So long as Japanese disregard the pledge, a conference is entirely out of the question. Meantime- the nation is extremely hostile to Chiang Kai Sliek and the Ministry of War, charging both with selling the Nineteenth Route Army, by refusing to send sufficient reinforcements to recover the territory occupied bv the Japanese. A grave situation also faces the authorities at Cbapei, where terrible conditions prevail. Health is endangered by disease and there is no immediate prospect of sanitary control. General Skirawaka announced officially that Japanese troops will wait quietly in their positions at present occupied, pending the outcome ol peace negotiations, having extended them line some distance outside the 20 kilometres zone.

JAP FINANCIER SHOT. TOKJO, March 5. Baron Dan, Director of the Mitsui, was fatally shot at Nilmnbashi. The assassin was immediately arrested. Tim Mitsui building was recently mobbed, by an indignant crowd, resentful of the firm's dollar speculations, since when an agitation against unpatriotic dollar buying has continually increased.

Baron Dari, who was well-known abroad, headed several economic mis-